Smotrich and Rotman to Unveil Judicial Overhaul Plan

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman are set to launch a new, comprehensive plan to reform Israel's judicial system and redefine the balance of power between governmental branches. The initiative, presented as a continuation of changes advanced by the previous government, is slated for implementation after the upcoming elections.

This move signals the return of judicial reform to the forefront of public and political discourse. The plan builds upon significant legal and governmental shifts enacted during the last government's term, including the cancellation of the reasonableness standard, changes to the composition of the Judicial Appointments Committee, the annulment of the 'Afroim' precedents, the Rabbinical Courts Law, and a reduction in the authority of the Attorney General.

The new proposal aims to further these reforms, reflecting the Religious Zionism party's vision for the judiciary and the distribution of powers. This marks Smotrich's third major plan unveiled ahead of the elections, following proposals on optimizing reserve duty and promoting settlement expansion in the Negev and Galilee.

The presentation of this judicial plan is expected to reignite debate on a central issue that dominated the previous government's tenure, now framed as part of the Religious Zionism party's campaign platform for the next Knesset.